This archive report was first published on 12 September 2019.
Bayern Munich's chances of toppling RB Leipzig in their Bundesliga showdown on Saturday have been dealt a blow with the news that midfielder Leon Goretzka will miss the match due to surgery on his left thigh.
Goretzka, a Germany international, was injured in training while on international duty last week and underwent surgery to reduce bruising in his thigh.
Coach Niko Kovac will need to rely on his strongest squad to take on Leipzig, who have enjoyed a blistering start to the season with three consecutive wins to top the table on nine points.
Leipzig's defence has been the best in the league so far, conceding just two goals, while their attack has been potent thanks to the form of forward Timo Werner, who has scored five league goals already, including a hat-trick against Borussia Moenchengladbach.
Bayern's Robert Lewandowski has also been in fine form, scoring an early season hat-trick, but Leipzig's coach Julian Nagelsmann is confident that his team can spoil the expected two-horse title race between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund.
“It is just not possible to make any serious assessment on the season after only three matches,” Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. “Our aim is to take over the top of the table with a win at Leipzig.”
Leipzig's win could put them five points clear of Bayern, and Nagelsmann is aware of the challenge ahead: “We must have a perfect day against them. They are always able to come back so we need to push them and we need to press them and if we do everything correctly on the day then maybe we will be five points ahead after the game.”
